Warner Bros.
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HBO’s much-anticipated Harry Potter series is beginning to take shape, as reports indicate that the iconic network’s parent studio Warner Bros. Discovery has identified their top choice to play Professor Albus Dumbledore. Dumbledore, Harry Potter’s mentor and the most powerful wizard in the story was previously played by Richard Harris and Michael Gambon in the film franchise.
While official talks have yet to take place, reports indicate that the studio has reached out to Academy Award-winning actor Mark Rylance to see if he would be interested in playing Dumbledore in the buzzworthy yet controversial Harry Potter series, which is set to premiere in 2026.
Rylance, a 64-year-old English actor, is best known for his work on the stage and in films such as The Other Boleyn Girl, Bridge of Spies (for which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), The BFG, Ready Player One, Dunkirk, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Bones and All, and more.
Dumbledore is the headmaster of the cornerstone locale of the Harry Potter franchise, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dumbledore is considered to be the only one that the series’ primary antagonist, Voldemort, fears.
“Warner Bros. Television hasn’t yet entered into negotiations with the actor, but the studio has reached out to gauge interest and availability,” according to Variety.
“Reps for Rylance did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A rep for HBO said: ‘We appreciate that such a high profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation. As we make our way through pre-production, we will only confirm details as we finalize deals.'”
As of 2024, the Harry Potter “Wizarding World” franchise is the fourth highest-grossing movie franchise of all time ($9.65B)behind only the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Spider-Man, and Star Wars, and ahead of stalwarts such as James Bonds and Batman.
All eight of the Harry Potter movies are currently streaming on MAX.